Westgate-On-Sea: Coast and Heritage

Westgate-On-Sea combines a distinctive coastal landscape with ecclesiastical architecture and local history. West Bay and St Mildred's Bay offer different coastal features; there are also two listed churches, the Heritage Centre and cultural leisure activities. If you're looking for a hotel in Westgate-On-Sea, it helps to first decide what matters most to you: would you like your stay to focus on the coast, are you interested in architectural history, or would you like to combine both?

Coast and tidal landscape

West Bay is a sandy bay fringed by cliffs. It has excellent rock pools in the intertidal zone, and the cliff paths at West Bay follow the coastline. St Mildred's Bay on the coast of Westgate-on-Sea is also a sandy bay fringed by cliffs, with a promenade and tidal pool. Its history includes a former role as a Royal Naval Air Station base for seaplanes. For travellers interested not only in the shape of the coast but also in its history, this offers another way to explore St Mildred's Bay.

Churches and architectural history

The Church of St James in Westgate-on-Sea is a Grade II listed church in the Gothic Revival style. Charles Nightingale Beazley designed the church, which was built between 1872 and 1873. The dates and the attribution of the design give you two concrete points of reference when exploring the church's architectural history.

St Saviour's Church is a Grade II listed Victorian Gothic Revival church. James Naylar and Son of Rochester built it from Kentish ragstone sourced from the quarries of Maidstone. This church's architectural story therefore highlights not only its style, but also its building material and where it came from, as well as the builders involved. St Saviour's Parish Church warmly welcomes visitors.

The two churches can be explored through different aspects of their architectural history: at St James, the construction dates and design take centre stage; at St Saviour's, it's the building material and the stone's origins. If you're interested in ecclesiastical architecture, these details add another dimension to the coastal and local history.

Local history and activities

The Westgate-on-Sea Heritage Centre aims to tell the story of Westgate-on-Sea in Kent, from the first houses built as part of this Victorian development in 1865 through to the present day. The Centre also hosts monthly talks on Westgate-on-Sea's history and heritage throughout the year. The monthly talks currently take place at Christ Church United Reformed Church on the first Saturday of the month at 10:30 am; the doors open at 10:00 am. As arrangements may change, check the current date before your visit.

The historic Edwardian Carlton Cinema also offers a cultural option during your stay, where visitors can watch a film. As programme details may change, check current screenings before your visit to the cinema. Westgate and Birchington Golf Club was founded in 1893; golfers are welcome with or without a handicap. Possible interests therefore range from local and architectural history to film and golf, without any one theme needing to define your stay.

Choosing Westgate-On-Sea as a destination

When looking for a hotel in Westgate-On-Sea, your reason for travelling can be a good place to start: would you mainly like to spend time by the coast, or are you interested in combining it with architectural and local history? This decision can help you weigh the area's features according to what interests you during your stay. Then choose a hotel based on your personal requirements and the details of each offer.

Discover more destinations: Bredgar, Horsmonden, Five Oak Green, Upchurch, Ulcombe, Wrotham, Snodland, Stone

Return to the broader travel guide: Kent.